Ireland Man found guilty of murdering Gillian Curran in Waterford
Gillian Curran, a 47-year-old woman, was found unresponsive at her partner's house in Waterford on 25 January 2025 and was pronounced dead a short time later. Marcus O'Neill, a 35-year-old man, denied murdering her at his home on O'Brien Street in Waterford city. His trial opened before the Central Criminal Court in Waterford on 7 July, and on 30 July 2026 a jury returned a majority 10-2 guilty verdict on the murder charge. Sentencing has been adjourned to 12 October to allow for victim impact statements, and O'Neill is due to receive the mandatory life sentence on that date.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted30 Jul
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Marcus O'Neill, a 35-year-old man, was found guilty of murdering Gillian Curran, a 47-year-old woman.
- Where
- The killing was said to have happened at O'Neill's home on O'Brien Street in Waterford city, while Ms Curran was found at her partner's house.
- When
- Gillian Curran was found unresponsive on the morning of 25 January 2025 and pronounced dead a short time later.
- Cause
- Ms Curran's death resulted from blunt force traumatic injuries to her head and abdomen.
- The judge said the jury found that O'Neill had beaten Ms Curran to death.
- Other details
- O'Neill told gardaí that Ms Curran had fallen several times and that he did not know what happened to her after he put her to bed.
- Investigation
- Gardaí analysed hours of CCTV footage from multiple cameras in the surrounding areas.
- Footage from garda body-worn cameras was used as evidence, the first time this type of footage was used in criminal proceedings in the State.
- Charges
- O'Neill had denied murdering Ms Curran.
- In court
- The trial first opened before the Central Criminal Court in Waterford on 7 July, and the jury returned a majority 10-2 guilty verdict on the murder charge on 30 July 2026.
- Sentence
- Sentencing was adjourned to 12 October to allow for the preparation of victim impact statements.
- O'Neill will be handed the mandatory life sentence for murder on the sentencing date.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMarcus O'Neill was found guilty of murdering Gillian Curran. (rte.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at O'Neill's home on O'Brien Street in Waterford city. (rte.ie)
- whenGillian Curran was found unresponsive at her partner's house on 25 January 2025. (rte.ie)
- causeMs Curran's death was the result of blunt force traumatic injuries to her head and abdomen. (rte.ie)
- causeThe judge said the jury found that O'Neill had beaten Ms Curran to death. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí analysed hours of CCTV footage from multiple cameras in the surrounding areas. (rte.ie)
- investigationFootage from garda body-worn cameras was used as evidence, the first time in the State for this type of footage. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury returned a majority 10-2 guilty verdict on the murder charge. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial first opened before the Central Criminal Court in Waterford on 7 July. (rte.ie)
- sentenceSentencing was adjourned to 12 October to allow for the preparation of victim impact statements. (rte.ie)
- sentenceO'Neill will be handed the mandatory life sentence for murder on the sentencing date. (rte.ie)
- otherO'Neill told gardaí that Ms Curran had fallen several times and that he did not know what happened to her after he put her to bed. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jul2026Man found guilty of murdering Gillian Curran in Waterford
Reports the jury's 10-2 guilty verdict on the murder charge after a trial that opened on 7 July, and that sentencing is adjourned to 12 October. Includes the family's statement and the use of garda body-worn camera footage as evidence.
victim, Gillian Curran, 47, female, irish (judged from name)Gillian Curranconvicted, Marcus O'Neill, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Marcus O'Neill